Posted on 10/27/2011 11:05:28 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Numerous preemptive obituaries are being written for Governor Rick Perry’s campaign. These efforts are premature because they fail to understand and appreciate the fickle winds of political fortune.
Governor Perry has substantial political assets that make him a potent candidate and that will give him another chance to prove himself to Republican voters.
Each candidate brings their own set of positives and negatives to the game:
Mitt Romney has money to burn, establishment support, business experience, and passable debating skills. He also has a record far to the left of the majority of Republicans, a history of changing his position on major issues, and gives the impression that he will let you down when your back is turned.
Herman Cain has business experience, a high likability factor, and a fresh approach to conventional problems. He also has a propensity for confusing statements, no history of political success, and seems less vested in his own campaign than are his supporters.
Newt Gingrich has laser-like intelligence, a thorough understanding of policy choices, and excellent debating skills. He also has two ex-wives, a tendency to talk too much, and a manner that strikes many independents and women as smug or arrogant.
Rick Perry is not an able debater. In fact he seems to be bored with the entire exercise and I don’t blame him for that. The process that currently passes for “debate” is a valueless mixture of antagonistic press conference and TV quiz show. Rick Perry is not a policy wonk. Neither was Ronald Reagan. Neither was Dwight Eisenhower. Neither was George Washington.
What Governor Perry does have is:
A demonstrated ability to win elections.
A demonstrated understanding of how to lead and govern.
A Reaganesque capacity to touch the “mystic chords of memory” that bind us together.
A large stockpile of cash.
A set of opponents who all have significant electoral problems of their own.
While being ahead is intuitively always better than being behind, the clear political fact is that polls in October-November-December, don’t win elections in January and February. An Iowa State University poll published on November 18, 2003 showed Howard Dean at 29%, Dick Gephardt at 21%, John Kerry at 15%, and John Edwards at 8%. A Pew Research poll published on December 2, 2003 showed Dean at 26%, Gephardt at 22%, Kerry at 9%, and Edwards at 5%. (H/T nationalpolls.com)
The Democrat’s experience in 2004 is I think highly relevant as it was largely the mirror image of 2012. Eight years ago Democrats loathed George W. Bush just as conservatives today can’t stomach Barack Obama. Like Obama now, Bush was widely seen as vulnerable and thus there was a wide open scrum for the Democrat nomination.
For all his money Mitt Romney has been unable to close the deal with Republican voters. For all his current polling success, Herman Cain still appears to be a long shot to stay the distance. For all of his smarts and ability Newt Gingrich retains major downside risks.
The flaws of his opponents, together with his own considerable skill and potential, leaves an opening the size of Texas for Governor Rick Perry.
Of course the truth is irrelevant to you.
You obviously do not want the truth about Perry and what he has done about the border.
As far as Mitt Romney goes I agree he is a POS.
I did not object to your commenting.
You were objecting to the posting of Perry articles, IIRC.
Of course pro and con opinions will be posted..and rebutted.
Such is the world of public forums.
Thanks Katarina.
CW keep the photos coming, they did not complain when awesome photos of Sarah were posted. WE true conservatives love the photos and Rick Perry and BOTH of his plans.
LOL now the lefties on here will attack Reagan since he was first a democrat. GREAT photo of Reagan.
The number of illegals fleeing Arizona and Alabama is the result of a governor and administration with with cajones actually trying to do the job which fedzilla refuses to do.
He'd better get busy if he's going to do that, he's running 4th in recent polls. He's got a long road to go if he's going to beat Romney. I don't think he has a chance. Cain's business background is really resonating with people.
I do agree he could possibly say something at any time that would ruin his campaign but I am praying that won't happen. He is charismatic and our only chance IMHO of beating Obama. I would also love to see Gingrich in there but I don't think he could beat Obama.
I'll believe it when I see it.
Eloquently put. I feel exactly the same way. If Perry doesn't pull it off, which I think he will, I'll go with the most logical choice and that will be Newt.
I was moved by the Texas parents who wrote to thank me for exposing this dangerous whitewash. Imagine an in-depth study of Islamic history void of the jihadi wars, land appropriations, cultural annihilations, gender apartheid, enslavements, ethnic cleansing and misogyny. I urge rational and reasoned thinkers to study the curriculum for themselves. The Perry posse would prefer you did not. I ask that you do. Here is the evidence.
Muslim Histories and Culture Project
What is the Muslim Histories and Culture Project (MHCP)?
The Muslim Histories and Cultures Project was born out of discussions between His Highness The Aga Khan and Texas Governor Rick Perry during the Summer 2002, when The Aga Khan was in Houston for the dedication of a new Ismaili Center. Both His Highness and Governor Perry agreed on the need for Texans to have a greater understanding of Islamic culture, and subsequently brought UT-Austin President Larry Faulkner into the discussions. Located in the state capital, Faulkner’s campus is well positioned to accomplish these goals. A series of meetings followed, with the project ultimately finding a home in UT-Austin’s College of Liberal Arts, under the guidance of Dean Richard W. Lariviere, in association with UT Liberal Arts (UT-LA), the college’s teacher preparation program.
In April 2004, the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and UT-Austin finalized a grant proposal that created the partnership that became known as the Muslim Histories and Cultures Program (MHC). Much has happened since the inception of the partnership. Creation and implementation of a model was of prime importance. MHC recruited and directly trained 80 teachers affecting approximately 15,150 students of World History and World Geography in ten key Texas districts during the two sessions conducted in 2005 and 2006. The purpose is two-fold 1) to fulfill Governor Rick Perry's desire to better educate Texas teachers on Muslim topics and 2) to train teachers to use a cultural lens approach to understanding other cultures. Governor Perry was instrumental in getting this program off the ground.
Here are some of the elements of the program that show it to be a whitewash of Islam:
(continued)
The illegals fleeing Arizona had NOTHING to do with our Governor, they fled due to Russell Pierce and his leadership. Jan Brewer just took the credit. And still we can’t deport, we can only turn them over to the feds who promptly release them.
“26 plus years in the military, I know a LIAR when I see one, and Perry is a LIAR.
Trust him at your own peril.”
I know them when I see them too.
Liar.
26 plus years in the military? Then you must know that Perry is the only military man running, and you must know that Marcus Luttrell is backing Perry. Surely you know who he is? You want to call him a Perrywinkle to his face? Of course there may be a bit of difference between what Marcus did in the military and what you did, right? Or were you also a Navy SEAL?
I notice that half the time he (perry) sounds like George W Bush, and I believe the number one reason why Obamao is President is because Bush was so disliked. People are mad at themselves for foolishly voting against Bush when he was not even running,but at least Bush sounded pretty smart and lucid most of the time.
When Perry talks in these debates it makes people remember the sometimes cringe factor of George Bush. Making excuses for someone does not help them it only makes you look like a sycophant. It is more than obvious that his wife and his crony capitalist donors are pushing him.
I have been watching Texas freepers post for at least 10 years on what a worthless Governor he has been, and I believe they know the truth,and what has been going on, and do not wear rose colored glasses.
Who will you support when his chickens come home to roost and Mommy's dream of being first lady goes up in smoke?
The difference is is that Sarah had a wonderful charisma and beauty - a feminine beauty that, on occasion, could match any photo of the late Princess Diana. Little Ricky has the look of a big, dumb jock. I’m not fond of men who continually pose for photos. The Parade Magazine cover even turned on the fans to blow his hair and jacket backward (I don’t believe Sarah and Diana ever went for this old cliche) which was out of date in 1990.
This focus on so-called “male beauty” didn’t work for Dan Quayle (who at least had a natural humility about him) and it’s not going to work for the Governor of the Great State of Texas.
Yeah, but who would want to use Nixon as an example.
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